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The chime of a bell-like laughter and the soft gust of wind. A jolly rhyme alongside the gentle strums of lyre beneath the full moon over the blooms of glaze lilies. A memory that filled him with yearning, too long after what he didn’t know would ever be. It seems like yesterday, yet at the same time an eternity ago.
Zhongli didn’t know when it started, nor he has any idea of why it never ended. It just flows, a feeling he didn’t think would be possible for another with a face he can’t remember. Perhaps he is a fool to disregard the abstract dreams of what has been, but can you blame him for being skeptical of what was supposed to be the impossible?
“You’re such a blockhead.” An echo of a voice he had never heard, too fond coming from a faceless stranger – a caress to his ear, supposedly said by his beloved in the past he could only remember the gist of.
One that’s, unfortunately, he had never seen, hear, nor meet.
“Master Zhongli?”
Cor Lapis colored gaze blinks, the voice of Zhongli’s secretary snapping him away from his trance. He met Ganyu’s worried stare, one that he replies with an apologetic quirk of his lips.
“I apologize, Ganyu. It seems like I’m a bit out of it today. What was it just now?”
The young woman frown, concern etched on her delicate face. “The administrative report from our COO, Sir. Are you truly okay?”
Ah, Miss Ningguang’s report. The one Zhongli had asked to be brought to him earlier because some of his schedules is done a bit earlier than expected.
“Please put it down here, Ganyu.” He replies, referring to his work table. “And I’m fine. Maybe a bit under the weather.” He’s lost inside his own head for someone he never met, he didn’t say. Zhongli had asked himself whether or not the flashes of scenes inside his dreams is a sign that he overworked himself these days, but it’s been going on for as long as he can remember and he’s falling for a figure who probably doesn’t even exist in this future of his.
It seems a bit too pathetic. He also has no will to further add another burden of worry for his workaholic secretary.
*
Two slender arms hugging his neck from behind, a peck as soft as Cecilia petals to his unknowing cheek. Zhongli could never see the face of his supposed-lover, everything was a blur of either white or turquoise green.
“You’re working as usual, huh?” A lovely giggle, one that Zhongli is always so desperate to remember. This is his memory, isn’t it? Then why couldn’t he remember? Why wouldn’t they let Zhongli find whoever it is calling his name?
“It’s my duty to my people, Love.” Zhongli heard himself talk, a bubbling amusement with words so gentle and light. He feels delighted with what seems to be a surprise visit, loosening up from what he thinks to be his works. His lover knows of this, knows of his responsibility, and understands his view of it.
Zhongli turns his head, hoping to be able to see the face of this person so dear to him but was greeted with a faceless foreigner once again. Zhongli feels disappointed, but not the man inside his dreams who dragged his beloved to his lap.
The arms encircled his neck once again, bringing him down for a kiss – this time to his lips. When they separated, what greets Zhongli is the wisp of a pout. “Won’t you come with me for a little break, dear?”
The businessman knows this other ‘him’ is not that different from the himself that he lived as. This Zhongli prioritizes his work amongst others, whatever it is that he works as in this part-fantasy world. This ‘other’ him was always so grounded too, never seeing something like a break as a necessity.
But for this lover of his…
“Of course, my beloved nightingale.” He knows, that there isn’t anything this other ‘Zhongli’ wouldn’t do.
*
Zhongli wakes up languidly the next day to his biological clock, four in the morning on the dot. He feels refreshed, something that he rarely feels even after a night of rest. Truly, it shows how much his dreams now affect him on his reality – it’s been a while since he had one of his dreams, not to mention a good one. He remembers the bad mornings he went through because he dreamt of a fight or a bizzare war-like scenario where his ‘lover’ got hurt.
It truly is concerning, but Zhongli is already resigned to the fact that he would never be able to move on from whoever is haunting his dreams nightly, loving a figure that doesn’t exist and wouldn’t be able to meet. For however long it is these dreams plagued him, he hasn’t even got his own name – the name he went by on that other reality.
Zhongli drapes an arm over his eyes, the shadow of his beloved’s chaste kiss on his lips and the hug on his neck still feel so real – he was actually hoping them to be real. Maybe the reason why he had these dreams is his long history of being single? Should he actually get laid or seek for an actual lover?
A part of him, maybe what was left from the previous ‘Zhongli’, despised this idea. It feels like he’s betraying someone and the taste of being unfaithful became something that Zhongli couldn’t endure – thus the roller coaster ride of his previous failed relationships.
Combing his fingers through his hair, the man sighs before deciding to finally get up from his bed to prepare for his day. It’s Saturday, and he has a meeting scheduled with Guizhong for lunch. In other words, another session of him lamenting over his yearning for someone he has never met.
*
Zhongli sips his tea, nervously looking away from his longtime friend’s judging gaze. He knew his good mood for the day is something that rarely happens and Guizhong knows him too much to not know right away where it came from.
“What did they call you this time?” There are both exasperation and amusement lacing Guizhong’s voice, “Did they insult you again? Hm, what was it? A brutish blundering buffoon? Blockhead? Or was it another lovey nickname instead? Your mood is always better when it’s the lovey nickname, huh?”
They were having lunch in a private room inside a rather well-known five-star traditional Liyuean restaurant, The Wanmin Restaurant. Zhongli had reserved beforehand since the waiting list for Wanmin is not something one can laugh at – some unfortunate souls must reserve maybe even months before their reservation date. He has his own ways, however. His name and his investments in Wanmin are enough to get him a private room for two in a short time.
The man across from her did not answer, opting to continue enjoying his tea with his eyes averted away. He ignores his burning ears, ignores the not subtle mischievous gaze Guizhong gave him as she jabs into his weaknesses. Zhongli kept his nonchalant appearance, trying to save just a bit of what was left from his dignity in front of his best friend.
“It was ‘Dear’.” A futile effort, but an effort nonetheless.
She isn’t wrong, though. Zhongli always felt his working effectiveness doubles every time his phantom lover calls him things like ‘Love’ or ‘Beloved’. He was so, so weak to it and he knows past-Zhongli is also the same. They got him – both of him wrapped around their pinkie just like that. The things that Zhongli would do for them.
With a snicker, Guizhong leisurely drinks her glass of iced lemon tea. “I actually envy whoever your dream-lover is. To have the great Zhongli this whipped over them. The power they held is actually quite terrifying.”
Oh, she doesn’t know the half of it, but Zhongli wouldn’t correct her lest he is seen even more pathetic.
With an exhale, Zhongli puts down his drink. “Do you think I should actually seek for a lover?” He’s actually getting desperate here. The presence of his dreams is already making him question his sanity since long ago, his yearning is still going strong for someone he had no actual memory of and it’s driving him crazy.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” The answer kind of surprises him. Zhongli met Guizhong’s smiling gaze. “Remember our past relationship? Or your only other relationship and how it ended?”
They used to date, yes. It ended because it doesn’t feel right – Zhongli also ended his relationship with Childe, his only other serious relationship, before it got too serious because of the feeling he got when he wakes up from his ‘past-life’ dreams is bothering him to no end. He did like Guizhong and Childe romantically, but it seems like to actually pursue something more is improbable. He knows that he is not actually committed to the one who always appears in his dreams, understood that whatever happened then has passed already.
But Zhongli felt like he had betrayed a part of himself, and no matter how much he tried to ignore it the echoes of his ‘beloved’ will always remind him of a trust he felt past-Zhongli was so honored to be given. There was also a feeling like he was breaking a promise, though what promise that was he had no idea of. He tried looking down his memory for an utterance of said promise, coming back to his current reality with an empty
The clock in their private room ticks, and Zhongli hums quietly.
He doesn’t see any solution to this little problem of him cherishing someone who doesn’t exist, yet letting this consume him is something he’d like not to happen.
“Why don’t you try to ask for a name?” Guizhong’s voice grounded him back to the present, and Zhongli blinks as he stared at her – whose chin rests on top of her intertwined fingers. The man frowns, opening his mouth to retort before Guizhong beats him to it. “No, I mean, any name and not just theirs. Maybe your name? Or the name of someone inside your dream other than this ‘lover’ of yours?”
That’s… something Zhongli has clearly never tried to do. It’s a piece of good advice, something he should’ve thought about since the beginning. Why hadn’t he thought about that yet?
“It’s funny, now that I think about it. You know how much they like to drink, know they’re some sort of a musician, knows they like to sing and that they’re a good archer. But you don’t know their name nor you know anything of yourself – not even your name.”
Ah.
Yes. He now knows why.
As he turns to look away, Guizhong probably caught up to what he’s thinking of as she chortled out a laugh. “Oh Archons. No way?”
Zhongli didn’t answer, and Guizhong took it as a positive answer. “You actually got too invested in this dream-lover of yours that you didn’t think of paying attention to the others?”
Cue the part where Ningguang’s elder sister laughs herself off while Zhongli is just living on the embarrassment because she’s right and he can’t really say anything about it. This is his own mistake, he knows. For someone as detail-oriented as him, this is an amateur’s mistake.
But in his defense, you can’t really blame Zhongli. Names and such became something so trivial once his darling exists – even if it’s only inside memories that exist in his slumber. His name might’ve been called but he never paid it any mind, not when a distraction as delightful as them exists.
It was his fault, now that he gave it more thought.
Zhongli cleared his throat, “Thank you. I’ll… try to keep that in mind the next time around.”
Maybe he looks as miserable as he feels, because Guizhong decided not to push the matter. “Enough about you. Did you remember about the student I told you about? The prodigy?”
Relieved that she changed the topic, Zhongli puts down the mug in his hand down to the table. “The one whose middle term piece made you cry?”
Guizhong herself was a prodigy in the world of a classical musician with abundant awards behind her name as a violinist, but she chooses to leave the world of performing behind in order to be the youngest professor in Liyue Academy of Music three years ago. Teaching new batches of musicians became her passion, and Zhongli is glad for his friend that she found something she enjoys doing. She talks about her students a lot, nowadays especially about another violinist prodigy she thought to be a gem that would be able to surpass her.
“Yes! That exact one!” His friend’s eyes sparkle at the recognition, “He’s going to be performing for the opening of The Rite of Ascension!”
Zhongli arched an eyebrow, his interest piqued. The Rite of Ascension is a Liyuean event, created in order to commemorate Morax’s ascension to Celestia. The opening that Guizhong mentioned would be the yearly national orchestra performance by Liyue’s best musicians. To be able to perform so soon… “He’s going to go to places, that one.”
“I know, right?” Guizhong beams, her happiness transparent. “He’s going to be big, I just know it! With his talent, I won’t even be surprised if he’s going to be nominated for the Barbatos Award. Maybe not soon, but I know he will be.”
The Barbatos Award, the highest international award there is for a classical musicians. They took the name from Mondstadt’ Archon, who was also known as the god of music. Guizhong was one of the awardees of the prestigious award, back when she was still performing. The Liyue Academy of Music was honored to accept her into their ranks.
If Guizhong believes so, then this student of hers is really going to be a household name in the future.
“I wish him the best for his future, then.”
The rest of their lunch passes by amicably, even if it ended not that long after because there’s a sudden video conference on Zhongli’s schedule. They made a promise for their next week's schedule, and Zhongli also promised Guizhong to tell her sister to take a break after a rather… elaborate threat.
All in all, it was a fruitful meeting. One that left Zhongli with a rather important note the next time he dreamt of his ‘lover’.
*
The moonlight softly blankets a meadow near a lake in a place Zhongli doesn’t recognize in his current time with how modern Teyvat changed Liyue. It was a beautiful place, with glaze lilies yet to bloom on the side of the lake. The night is clear, the stars above twinkle in the dark of the night. Zhongli was alone, but not for long.
Past-Zhongli turns, as if someone is calling his name. Zhongli tried to listen but all he hears is the night wind howling and nothing else.
“You’re here.” He heard himself say, answered by a gust of strong wind and a flutter of pure white wings descending from above. Zhongli reaches out to the figure, and he has no idea how can his past self doesn’t even react as their lover flew down into their arms.
Ethereally beautiful. Zhongli is reminded again why he thought finding his lover is impossible in the first place – he was in love with a literal angel, and he isn’t sure where he could find one in the Teyvat he resides in.
“I’m here.” His dearest stated as he laughs bright and cheery, something that Zhongli wishes he can record to keep it near his heart – if only he can actually remember their voice after he awakes and not only the words.
As Zhongli wraps his arm around his beloved, the angel seems to grin as they held Zhongli’s face in the palm of their hands – a slender thumb caressing his cheek. “Have you been waiting long for me, Morax?”
Morax. Was that his name? How peculiar, for him to have the same name as his nation’s Archon. The name used in modern days as a child’s name was not unheard of, even long after the passing of their Archon, Liyue still revered their god as a being who granted them their nation after all.
To answer that, Zhongli’s – Morax’s? – expression changes as he feels a small quirk graced the corner of his lips. “I’ll wait forever if it’s for you, Barbatos.”
*
Present time Teyvat, Cor Lapis colored gaze abruptly opened themselves as the owner shot up on his bed. The cogs in his mind whirls as cold sweat runs down his back.
No way.
He was dreaming, so he can’t really say that it’s all a dream – that it’s just an impossible wild thought his mind created because he was desperate for an answer. Perhaps Zhongli is actually going insane because there is just no way.
All this time, his dreams he thought were his past memories, they’re a vision of – of what? Morax’ and Barbatos’ love story? Ridiculous and unheard. The lord of Geo and the god of Anemo were told to be friends, yes, but lovers?
Zhongli is well-versed in the history of Liyue, growing up within the elites of the nation with quite the taste for fine antiques. He has a collection of the original Rex Incognito, a set of tales about Rex Lapis and his Yakshas, also some fine collections of historical documentaries many would try to covet given the chance. Archons, his company – old as it can be with a long history of ancestry, is named after Rex Lapis himself.
He knows that there are mentions of the Goddess of Dust regarding anything romance-related to Morax, but never was there anything of Morax and Barbatos. It’s not possible, there was never any record–
Calm down.
Zhongli rubs his face, exhaling slowly.
He has time for research. He would agree that it is improbable for the Archon his nation revered so much to have an unheard love story with his peer, but thinking of it logically why would Morax wants the world to know about their story in a world like the past? Dear Archons, those bizarre dreams of a warzone must’ve been the Archon War before Liyue was formed. Barbatos was known as the weakest Archon because of the freedom he granted Mondstadt, protecting him would be not mentioning him at all.
Maybe there are certain parts of history humanity would never know, stories of the gods that happened away from their follower’s discerning gazes.
*
Zhongli found himself in the national library on a Sunday morning, if he’s looking for archives of the old days then the rare collections Liyue’s national library might grant him the answer he is seeking for. Getting access for them in a day should’ve been impossible, but his connections with the Liyue Qixing were quite a useful tool.
However, that does not mean his effort is fruitful.
Of Liyue and Mondstadt : A Tale of Two Cities
Barbatos : Freedom in The Eyes of Its Beholder
The Life and Death of Rex Lapis
Historic Origins of Liyue, As Times Goes By
The City of Storms : Decarabian’s Tyrany
Nothing. Absolutely nothing was useful. There was nothing recorded other than Barbatos’ and Rex Lapis’ first meeting from a biography of one of Mondstadt’s aristocratic family. The only other thing that relates Barbatos to Liyue was the songs he sings about what was presumed to be Qingce Village from the Knight of Favonius founder’s diary. Other than that are the things that Zhongli already knew beforehand, useless to answer the nagging question that startled him awake this morning.
Feeling the growing headache, Zhongli took off his reading glasses to massage the bridge of his nose. He deals with paperwork on a daily basis, but the frustration of not getting anything is slowly grating his patience.
“Um, excuse me?”
Amidst the chaos that is his mind, the clear-sounding voice of another cuts through the storm inside his head like a hot knife to butter. Zhongli blinks, turning his head to face a radiant sheepish smile of a beautiful stranger.
“Ah, I apologize for interrupting you.” Teal green eyes, a unique hue that seems to almost glow in it’s radiance. Perfectly framing a round, delicate face is a pair of braids dyed blue on its end. Again, Zhongli blinks – his brain registering the somehow nostalgic stranger slower than it was supposed to.
“No, don’t worry about it. I was thinking of taking a break anyway.” His mouth answers without him progressing what he said. Zhongli shakes his head from his trance, giving a polite smile. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
The stranger laughs, one like bells chiming from the winds – Zhongli is once again struck with the foreign familiarity coming from him, frowning as he tried to remember where he heard it previously.
“I was looking around for my thesis research, you see – and I kind of saw you with a rare book I don’t think I would find here in Liyue. It’s titled ‘The Carmen Dei’s Rhymes’.” The stranger scratched the back of his neck, grinning.
Ah, yes. ‘The Carmen Dei’s Rhymes’ is a book about Barbatos written by Diluc Ragnvindr, a hero in Mondstadt’s history who was known to work alongside Barbatos in the second Archon War. His descendant and the current head of the Dawn Winery, Teyvat’s unbeatable wine industry, bear the same name as him.
Zhongli had a silly thought, what if the current wine tycoon is the hero himself? If Morax and Barbatos came to his dreams almost bi-weekly, why would the notion of Diluc Ragnvindr being reincarnated as his own descendant who bears the same name as him be something that should be disregarded just because it seems impossible?
The businessman pushed the thought to the back of his mind, deciding not to think of it too much. ‘The Carmen Dei’s Rhymes’ is rare outside Mondstadt, known to be an exclusive to Mondstadt’s national library – to see it outside Mondstadt is quite rare. There is no electronic version of the book, you can say that ‘The Carmen Dei’s Rhymes’ is quite the state treasure to Mondstadt.
“Do you mind if I take a look at it? There’s a chapter inside the book that I really need for my thesis, I was dreading the fact that I had to go back to Mondstadt just for that one chapter because transportation is kind of expensive to me.”
Zhongli is not an unreasonable fellow, so he gestures to the chair across from his. “No, I don’t mind at all. By all means, go ahead.”
The other beams, nodding gratefully as he sits down. “Thank you very much! Oh, I’m Venti, by the way!”
“You are very welcome, my name is Zhongli.”
Something is nagging him on the back of his mind, screaming about how Venti’s name should have reminded him of something – perhaps of someone? But there is no record of familiarity, Venti is a name that he had just learned today, he had never heard that name before and is sure of it.
Zhongli is silent as he watches Venti opens the book, skimming through the contents list before going straight to the page that he seeks for.
Of Osmanthus Wine and The Anemo Lord’s Reminiscence
That’s one peculiar choice of chapter for a thesis?
Zhongli remembered reading it, the hero who writes the book told them several times about Barbatos’ love of wine – especially Dandelion Wine, a specialty of Mondstadt. In that chapter, he remembers the author talks about how Barbatos sometimes reminiscent about the past – of a nameless bard, of Decarabian’s rule, of the Archon War, and of a friend he shares his wine with often.
“Pardon me for asking,” Zhongli couldn’t help himself. “I am quite curious, if you don’t mind answering. What thesis are you working on?”
Venti perked up at the question, his eyes sparkling in delight. “I am a performing music major, you see – ah, a violinist. I have to compose a piece for my thesis, and I have to be able to write about what I composed. What other inspiration is greater than the god of song himself, don’t you agree?”
“True,” Zhongli muses, “Are you looking to read about Lord Barbatos’ past?” He asks again despite his usual self.
The youth before him giggles, shaking his head. “No, not quite. You can say that I’m researching about his past – however, what I am actually researching about is his relations to Rex Lapis.”
This is… quite the accidental meeting, then?
“Would you be able to elaborate about that? And about the piece you are composing?”
“Oh?” Venti tilts his head, curiosity painting his charming face. “I didn’t really think anyone would actually be interested? Some scholar will probably condemn me instead.” With a laugh, the male happily turns the book towards Zhongli.
“In this book, I remember reading how Barbatos used to share wine from time to time with an unmentioned friend. Who could that mentioned friend be, I wonder?” Venti pointed to a paragraph, Zhongli nodding after reading the part he meant. “There’s also a mention of Osmanthus Wine, where I remembered it’s also mentioned in a biography of Rex Lapis written by Yuheng Keqing of the Liyue Qixing. I did a little research for its availability back in the days where Archons still roams the earth, and I found out the only source for it is a local winery in Liyue because it’s not really well-known yet.”
The only other person who he probably shared it with is Rex Lapis, Zhongli thinks, Morax himself.
“It was also mentioned how as Lord Barbatos talked about the wine, he would also talk about the beautiful bloom of lilies to the tune of his Dihua Flute. I think there’s also a part where he mentioned this long-time friend of his who taught him how to play the Guzheng. I also found quite the peculiar journal on Qingce’s traditional love song talking about how it was made by Rex Lapis himself.”
Zhongli took in the information in stride, completely taken aback by the flow of information. He had… never thought that such little details would matter. “Then your composition is…”
Venti smirks, mischief on his brilliant shade of teal green. “Basically, I’m planning to compose Rex Lapis and Barbatos’ love story – well, in my understanding their relationship would be a love story with all the implied fondness on various of sources.” He shrugs, leaning back to his chair with a little laugh that somehow sent a twinge to Zhongli’s heart.
“Unfortunately, even if I am an art student and I can perceive things as I wish, I will still have to give solid arguments for my professors. As you can see, I have to research a lot even when I’m usually not this good at something that isn’t my music.”
That must have meant Venti cares a lot about this composition of his, thinking of it more than a mere project or a thesis. He knows firsthand how… fickle a musician can be to things that they have no interests in, with Guizhong being an example herself.
“I was actually trying to find out more about Lord Rex Lapis and Lord Barbatos,” Zhongli told Venti the truth, humming to himself. “Do you mind me helping with your thesis when I’m free? I have… personal interest in their relationship.”
Something of the likes. Telling a stranger he dreams of himself as Morax to witness his actual love story with Barbatos is not someone you do, so he didn’t.
Venti widened his eyes, immediately shaking his head. “No, I couldn’t possibly trouble you like that!”
“I insist, please let me. I am telling the truth when I said that I have a personal interest in their relationship, and for you to take in the challenge of using ‘love’ as a theme for a piece would mean you are quite the capable musician.”
Zhongli watches, fascinated when a dust of red appeared across Venti’s cheek as the musician looks away bashfully. Truly enthralling, this little stranger who piqued his interest.
They ended up talking about Rex Lapis and Barbatos until it was quite late in the afternoon, surprising even Zhongli himself on the fact that he forgot about the time as their conversations flow. That was their first meeting, and Zhongli should’ve noticed how he feels some sort of a connection to this interesting stranger.
They exchanged numbers, promising for a coffee at another time to talk more about their topic.
Really, Zhongli should’ve known this charming stranger would be a constant in his life.
*
The first time Zhongli heard a bit of Venti’s piece, it was accidental.
It was a month after their first meeting, after three other small meetings filled with a sense of camaraderie Zhongli had no idea he was able to feel towards anyone. Venti was slowly becoming someone Zhongli recognized as a friend, with their witty banter and the feeling of enjoyment he felt when they uncovered things about Rex Lapis and Barbatos missed by many from ancient documents.
Zhongli was going to meet Guizhong at her workplace, bringing some pastries that she likes since he got an early clear on his schedule and he thought he’d tell his friend in person of the location for their next hangout. Her colleagues told him she was with one of her students in one of the music rooms, so he headed that way bearing his little gift.
He knows of that one music room Guizhong loved to use the most, the one she uses when she was still learning here in the institution, so he headed there without much thinking. The walk was a bit nostalgic, since Zhongli is reminded once again of his college days, where he would visit Guizong on her practices.
The door to the room was slightly ajar when he got there, and he was just about to open it when the flow of melody suddenly came from inside.
Zhongli stopped dead on his track, with wide eyes and his lips apart.
“Don’t worry, you old blockhead. There is always a next time, and in that next time nothing will change for us – I’m still going to be yours, and you are mine. So please, don’t cry for my sake?”
His chest aches for the onslaught of words, he had to lean to the wall beside the door for support. Another memory, what seems like a goodbye.
The tune of the violin starts slow. It begins with an elegant wave, though with a strong composition like it’s depicting the unmoving mountain of Liyue with low tremolos interspersed by some martélés – he remembered Guizhong telling him that this kind of tempo and movement puts a strain on the violinist unless they’re well-practiced. The melody flows, as it changes to be a bit more jolly – picking up the pace until it became playful and light, yet gentle like the winds of spring but difficult to do with all the finger pizzicato from the player.
Zhongli enjoys classical music, and he understands enough to know that this would be a masterpiece.
The music halted, along with it came Zhongli’s senses back to his body.
Why would a piece of unfinished music trigger a memory?
“Would you like to ask for something, O’ Archaic Lord?” An amused smile, a knowing gaze – one that gave him the warmth he never felt before.
Zhongli shakes his head, snapping his gaze towards the slightly opened door to the music room.
No way.
His heartbeat accelerated as he thought of the probabilities, an emotion akin to joy bubbling up inside him – one that churned his stomach from his nerve. What are the odds?
With a shaky exhale, Zhongli knocks on the door with a trembling hand.
It was Guizhong’s voice who told him to come in, but the first thing that he saw when he entered the room was a familiar face’s curious gaze. Venti?
“Zhongli?”
An image flashes through his eyes, of pure white wings drenched in red and a smile that seems to grip the straws of his heart. Maybe it was his wide eyes or his surprised gaze, maybe it was the distinctive uncharacteristic fall of façade – Guizhong only needs one look to understand what Zhongli is taking his time to compute.
“Oh! You brought pastries!” Swiftly, the young professor took long strides to her old friend to take the box of delicacies from him. “I’m going to put this in the office fridge so that we can enjoy this later! Why don’t you two wait here? Venti, you can continue with your practice!”
He didn’t notice the spark in Guizhong’s eyes, didn’t pay attention to her beaming smile and the happy look she gave him. He has his gaze set on the other male inside the room, and only him.
So that was where the nostalgic familiarity coming from, why Zhongli felt at ease on their first and only conversation so far.
“Go get ‘em, tiger!” Guizhong whispers to him, but Zhongli was already walking towards Venti with a gentle gaze and a fond smile towards the confused violin prodigy.
“Venti. It has been a while, it seems.”
*
“Why are you so confident about this?”
“What is there to doubt, I wonder?”
“There is no certainty that we will find each other again.”
“So unromantic and crude!”
“I’m right here, right now. Stop imagining things about another man.”
“That another man is yourself, you know?”
“Doesn’t mean I don’t have to dislike it.”
“How scary. How would your son react if he heard your words, I wonder?”
“Xiao would’ve agreed with me, now sleep already.”
“Hm~ But at least promise me!”
“Promise you what?”
“That you’ll find me again in our next life! I wonder what we’ll be if we were reborn as mortals! Wouldn’t it be fun if we can actually grow old together?”
“Will that get you to sleep?”
“Yes.”
“Then I promise, Venti. I promise to find you again, and I promise to cherish you again the way I do now. It’s hilarious how you think death will get you away from me.”
“You ruined the ending!”
“Sleep already, I did as you told me to, didn’t I?”
“Oh fine! Then I hope that you can find me soon, Zhongli!”
“I already promise you I would, Beloved.”
*
Truly, it has been a while since his last dream of Morax and Barbatos. Zhongli stared at the ceiling of his room, humming slightly to himself. Maybe this will be the last time? It’s been so long ago since he last saw a memory from his past life he didn’t think there would be another one after the memory of his darling dying in his arms.
Zhongli felt a movement from the bed beside him, and Zhongli chuckles as he watches his dear little lover snuggled closer to his side. He moves to spoon Venti to his chest, his fingers playing with the raven locks of his beloved.
Morax, that dragon, truly was a stubborn fool, to be able to bother Zhongli even after his death until he – or at least his reincarnation – can meet Barbatos again. All for the sake of a promise he told his darling wind in a night where Barbatos just wouldn’t sleep. He held up the promise like the god of contracts he is, or maybe he's just that desperate to find the other half of his soul again. So much for being unromantic.
I found you. Zhongli wants to say, but didn’t. He can’t, not that he wants to. Zhongli fell in love with Venti even without Morax’s help, but he had to thank the old god because he found Venti in this lifetime of his. There really isn’t anything in his possession that he wouldn’t trade to have the young musician in his arms.
He kisses Venti’s forehead, a light chaste kiss so that he won’t wake him up.
I found you again, my dear wind.